it felt like Avengers 1.5 rather than a true sequel. the ending was too close to a retread of the NYC battle. the banter wasn't as funny. I've got personal quibbles with the disorienting action cuts and lame score (again).

also, for all the praise that Marvel gets for being "bright and comic", opposed to the "dark and dour" DC films, there was as much empty melodrama in this movie as any Nolan Batman or Man of Steel.

hopefully they can ramp things up again the next time.